The Kennel Club in the UK have just fudged the breed standard and breeding practices of the French bulldog and unhealthy dog breeds. Bad news for dog breed health. This story is about the health and welfare of dog breeds and for that matter cat …
NEWS AND OPINION: Do we care if UK’s zoos are struggling to breed captive animals because Brexit has introduced intolerable paperwork and bureaucracy? Scores of zoos including London Zoo claim that their breeding schemes for species such as rhinos, monkeys and other endangered animals are …
There is a story in The Times today about animal rights groups up in arms over a lioness that was killed at Longleat Safari Park in the UK. There have been seven similar incidents at zoos and safari parks across Britain over the past seven …
It seems that the refinement of the racehorse through selective breeding has reached a ceiling because they are not getting any quicker. In fact, many of today’s records are 50 years old. For example, the great Classic race, the Derby, was run in record time …
The Kennel Club breed standard for the brachycephalic, flat-faced, fashionable French bulldog and pug (as two examples) are clear on what is required in respect of their eyes. Take the pug. The breed standard states: “Dark, relatively large, round in shape, soft and solicitous in …
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) tells me that the population of UK wintering great white egrets is 35. This means the number of individuals present from October to March. Today it is reported in the news media that Bird Guides a …
Queen Elizabeth II is 94 years old and looking like she’s going to make a 100. She likes dogs particularly corgis and has owned 30 in her lifetime all of whom are believed to have been descended from Susan, a corgi given to the monarchy …
Derek Gow used to be a farmer. Perhaps he still considers himself to be a farmer. Although he is passionately interested in wildlife, nature, rewilding and conservation. He is also a concerned environmentalist and has been described as a renegade re-wilder. The word “renegade” refers …
A study concluded that 66% owners of brachycephalic (round-headed short-muzzled) dogs would recommend their dog breed to others and 93% would adopt another despite the fact that these flat-faced breeds are inherently unhealthy. It seems that they don’t think they are unhealthy or have normalised …
